Planning a family vacation to the French Riviera and wondering where to stay? Finding the perfect spot that caters to both kids and adults can be challenging. When we decided on the Cote d’Azur for our summer getaway, the quest for ideal family-friendly accommodation began. We sought a location that was easily navigable without relying on a car, welcoming to families, and still retained the enchanting French Riviera atmosphere that adults crave. Our search led us to Antibes, a town that effortlessly ticked all the boxes.
Choosing the right town is the crucial first step in planning any vacation. Antibes emerged as our top choice, offering a blend of convenience and charm that perfectly suited our family’s needs. Here’s why Antibes should be at the top of your list when considering Family Friendly Vacations in the French Riviera.
View of Antibes from the sea, showcasing the old town and harbor, perfect for family friendly vacations.
Why Antibes is Ideal for Family Friendly Vacations in the French Riviera
If you’re planning a trip to the Cote d’Azur with your family, Antibes stands out as an exceptional choice. Here’s why I wholeheartedly recommend it:
Proximity to Nice Airport: Ease of Arrival for Families
Traveling with kids, especially internationally, requires careful consideration of logistics, particularly airport transfers. After a long overnight flight and the inevitable time zone adjustments, minimizing travel upon arrival is key to combating jet lag and ensuring a smooth start to your vacation. Nice-Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) offers direct flights from major international hubs, making it incredibly accessible. Antibes is conveniently located just a short 15-minute taxi or train ride from Nice airport. This proximity meant that upon landing in Nice, we quickly transitioned to our rental in Antibes and were relaxing on the beach in no time. This seamless transfer was a game-changer in helping everyone adjust to the new time zone and start enjoying our family friendly vacations right away.
Family enjoying a sunny day at a beach in Antibes, highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere.
Fantastic Family-Friendly Beaches: Sun, Sand, and Safe Fun
Antibes boasts an array of stunning beaches perfect for families. We were thrilled to discover numerous easily accessible public beaches that were ideal for children. While the French Riviera is known for its glamorous beach clubs, we found ourselves drawn to the charm and convenience of Antibes’ free beaches. With soft sand, calm waters, and nearby amenities, these beaches provided everything we needed for delightful family beach days.
Ponteil Beach and Salis Beach became our go-to spots for full-day excursions. The lively atmosphere, excellent food options from beachside vendors, and the exciting swim out to a small island at Ponteil kept everyone entertained. Plage de la Gravette, nestled closer to the port, was perfect for relaxed late afternoon and evening swims. The best part? All these wonderful beaches were within easy walking distance from our vacation rental, making spontaneous beach trips effortless and enjoyable for our family friendly vacations.
Children playing in the sand at a beach in Antibes, showcasing the safe and fun environment for kids.
Diverse and Welcoming Family-Friendly Restaurants & Food Options
Dining out with kids in a new destination can sometimes be unpredictable, but Antibes exceeded our expectations. Forget any preconceived notions of exclusively upscale, child-unfriendly dining experiences. Antibes offers a fantastic range of restaurants that warmly welcome families. We discovered numerous eateries with dedicated kids’ menus and delightful perks like complimentary ice cream for dessert, making dining out a stress-free and enjoyable experience for everyone.
The beachside restaurants were a particular hit with our children. These casual spots offered a variety of kid-friendly snacks, ice cream, crepes, and tasty lunch options, perfect for refueling after a morning of beach fun. Additionally, our proximity to the renowned Provencal Market of Antibes was a major advantage. We loved browsing the market stalls, stocking up on fresh fruit, local cheeses, artisanal bread, and other treats to enjoy back at our rental, adding a delicious and authentic touch to our family friendly vacations.
Carousels & Ferris Wheel: Classic Family Fun
Antibes adds a touch of whimsy and classic family entertainment with its charming carousels and a grand Ferris wheel. You’ll find two delightful carousels in Antibes, offering traditional rides that kids adore. The Ferris wheel, located at the marina, is a prominent and exciting feature, especially in the evenings. Taking a ride on the Ferris wheel provides breathtaking panoramic views of Antibes and the coastline, creating memorable moments for the whole family. Another carousel is conveniently situated near the playground, making this area a hub of family-friendly activities and adding to the appeal of Antibes for family friendly vacations.
Children riding a carousel in Antibes, showcasing the family-friendly attractions available in the town.
Playgrounds: Keeping Kids Active and Happy
Playgrounds are essential for keeping children entertained and active during family friendly vacations. Antibes offers wonderful playground facilities that our kids absolutely loved. The playground we frequented, situated at 8 Rue Lacan, featured in-ground trampolines that were a huge hit, along with various climbing structures and play equipment to keep children of all ages engaged. The playground’s location, surrounded by outdoor cafes and eateries, makes it easy for parents to relax and enjoy a drink or snack while keeping an eye on the kids. The playground and nearby carousel create a fantastic family-friendly atmosphere, particularly enjoyable during evening outings.
Picasso Museum: Injecting Culture into Family Time
For families seeking a blend of leisure and culture, Antibes offers the renowned Picasso Museum. Housed in the Château Grimaldi, where Picasso himself had a studio in the 1940s, the museum showcases a significant collection of his works created during his time in Antibes. Visiting the Picasso Museum provides a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to art and culture in an accessible and engaging way. As a bonus, the museum boasts absolutely breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea, adding another layer of appeal to this cultural experience within your family friendly vacations.
Exterior of the Picasso Museum in Antibes, suggesting a cultural activity suitable for families.
Antibes Land: Amusement Park Thrills for Kids
Balancing cultural experiences with pure fun is key to successful family friendly vacations. Antibes Land amusement park provides the perfect counterpoint to museums and historical sites, offering thrilling rides and entertainment that kids will adore. Located just a short train ride from the center of Antibes, Antibes Land is easily accessible for a day of family fun. Our kids ranked the amusement park as one of the highlights of their summer, filled with exciting rides, games, and the thrill of winning prizes. A visit to Antibes Land guarantees smiles and happy memories for your family friendly vacations.
A rollercoaster at Antibes Land amusement park, indicating thrilling family entertainment.
Walkable Town: Explore Antibes on Foot
One of the greatest advantages of Antibes for family friendly vacations is its walkability. During our week-long stay in the Cote d’Azur, we didn’t rent a car and found it completely unnecessary. Antibes is compact and easily navigable on foot, with everything we needed within walking distance. From the bustling market and a plethora of restaurants to the beautiful beaches and local attractions, exploring Antibes on foot was convenient and enjoyable. For venturing further afield, the excellent train network provides easy access to neighboring towns, making Antibes an ideal base for car-free family friendly vacations.
Le Petit Train to Juan-les-Pins: A Fun Excursion
Adding a touch of novelty and sightseeing to your family friendly vacations, the Le Petit Train in Antibes offers a delightful ride to nearby Juan-les-Pins. This charming tourist train is a fun way to explore the area, especially for families with children. For us, the Le Petit Train provided a convenient and enjoyable way to visit Juan-les-Pins without a car, allowing us to easily reach destinations like the famous Belle Rives hotel. The train ride itself became a memorable part of our day, offering scenic views and a relaxed pace perfect for family friendly vacations.
Le Petit Train tourist train in Antibes, offering a fun way to explore the area with family.
Easy Train Access to Explore the Cote d’Azur
Antibes’ central location on the Cote d’Azur makes it an ideal home base for exploring the wider region with kids. The train system along the coast is efficient and family-friendly, providing easy access to numerous charming towns and attractions. From Antibes, you can easily take day trips to Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and beyond, expanding your family friendly vacations and experiencing the diverse beauty of the French Riviera. The convenience of train travel eliminates parking hassles and allows for relaxed exploration, making it perfect for families.
Family Friendly Vacation Rental in Antibes
Our vacation rental in Antibes truly enhanced our experience and felt like a home away from home. The location was absolutely perfect, and after spending a week in Antibes, we couldn’t imagine a better spot for our family friendly vacations. The rental comfortably accommodated our family of seven and featured a wonderful little courtyard that became our favorite spot for relaxing and enjoying meals outdoors.
The courtyard of a family-friendly vacation rental in Antibes, showcasing a comfortable and inviting space.
The rental’s layout was ideal for a family, with a ground floor featuring a sitting area, kitchen, and dining table, plus another table in the courtyard. The upper floors provided ample bedroom space and bathrooms, ensuring everyone had their own space and comfort. A delightful surprise was a closet stocked with beach gear and toys, eliminating the need to pack bulky items. Arriving at our rental after a long journey felt like a dream – it was even better than we had hoped for, just steps away from stunning sea views. Being able to sneak out and watch the sunrise over the water was a special treat.
Discover this amazing family-friendly rental on AirBnB and take a video tour on Instagram to see for yourself!
